diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 702436b38..848b7d2f7 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ We truly appreciate all kinds of contributions — code, ideas, translations or
 
 Before you start, please take a moment to read the relevant section. It helps us review and accept contributions faster, and makes the whole process smoother for everyone. 💚
 
-PS: **We work closely with contributors on our [Discord channel](https://discord.com/invite/NAb6H3UTjK)**. You’ll find community members, core maintainers, and first-timers helping each other out.
+PS: **We work closely with contributors on our [Discord channel](https://discord.com/invite/NAb6H3UTjK)**. You'll find community members, core maintainers, and first-timers helping each other out.
 
 ---
 
@@ -32,12 +32,12 @@ PS: **We work closely with contributors on our [Discord channel](https://discord
 
 ### Get help or ask a question?
 
-Ask anything in our [Discord server](https://discord.com/invite/NAb6H3UTjK) — we’re friendly and happy to help. [Our core contributors](https://github.com/bluewave-labs/checkmate?tab=readme-ov-file#-contributing) are active and ready to support you. You can also use [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/bluewave-labs/Checkmate/discussions) section to ask your questions.
+Ask anything in our [Discord server](https://discord.com/invite/NAb6H3UTjK) — we're friendly and happy to help. [Our core contributors](https://github.com/bluewave-labs/checkmate?tab=readme-ov-file#-contributing) are active and ready to support you. You can also use [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/bluewave-labs/Checkmate/discussions) section to ask your questions.
 
 ### Report a bug?
 
 1. Search [existing issues](https://github.com/bluewave-labs/checkmate/issues).
-2. If it’s not listed, open a **new issue**.
+2. If it's not listed, open a **new issue**.
 3. Include as much detail as possible: what happened, what you expected, and steps to reproduce. Logs and screenshots help.
 
 ### Suggest a new feature?
@@ -48,19 +48,181 @@ Ask anything in our [Discord server](https://discord.com/invite/NAb6H3UTjK) —
 
 ### Set up Checkmate locally?
 
-Frontend & backend:
+#### Prerequisites
+
+- Node.js (with npm)
+- Docker (for MongoDB and Redis)
+- Git
+
+#### Step 1: Clone the Repository
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/bluewave-labs/Checkmate.git
+cd Checkmate
+```
+
+#### Step 2: Set Up Docker Containers (MongoDB & Redis)
+
+Navigate to the Docker dev directory:
+
+```bash
+cd server/docker/dev
+```
+
+Build the Docker images:
+
+```bash
+./build_images.sh
+```
+
+Run Redis container:
+
+```bash
+docker run -d -p 6379:6379 -v $(pwd)/redis/data:/data --name uptime_redis uptime_redis
+```
+
+Run MongoDB container:
+
+```bash
+docker run -d -p 27017:27017 -v $(pwd)/mongo/data:/data/db --name uptime_database_mongo uptime_database_mongo
+```
+
+Navigate back to the root directory:
+
+```bash
+cd ../../..
+```
+
+#### Step 3: Set Up the Backend (Server)
+
+Navigate to the server directory:
+
+```bash
+cd server
+```
+
+Install dependencies:
+
 ```bash
 npm install
+```
+
+Create a `.env` file in the `server` directory with the following minimum required configuration:
+
+```env
+CLIENT_HOST="http://localhost:5173"
+JWT_SECRET="my_secret_key_change_this"
+DB_CONNECTION_STRING="mongodb://localhost:27017/uptime_db"
+TOKEN_TTL="99d"
+ORIGIN="localhost"
+LOG_LEVEL="debug"
+```
+
+**Environment Variables Explained:**
+
+- `CLIENT_HOST`: Frontend URL (default: http://localhost:5173)
+- `JWT_SECRET`: Secret key for JWT tokens (change to something secure)
+- `DB_CONNECTION_STRING`: MongoDB connection URL
+- `ORIGIN`: Origin for CORS purposes
+- `TOKEN_TTL`: Token time to live (in vercel/ms format)
+- `LOG_LEVEL`: Debug level (debug, info, warn, error)
+
+Start the backend server:
+
+```bash
 npm run dev
 ```
 
-By default, the frontend expects the backend on `http://localhost:3001`. Update configs if needed.
+The server will run at `http://localhost:52345`.
+
+#### Step 4: Set Up the Frontend (Client)
+
+Open a new terminal window and navigate to the client directory from the root:
+
+```bash
+cd client
+```
+
+Install dependencies:
+
+```bash
+npm install
+```
+
+Create a `.env` file in the `client` directory:
+
+```env
+VITE_APP_API_BASE_URL="http://localhost:52345/api/v1"
+VITE_APP_LOG_LEVEL="debug"
+```
+
+**Environment Variables Explained:**
+
+- `VITE_APP_API_BASE_URL`: Backend API URL
+- `VITE_APP_LOG_LEVEL`: Log level (none, error, warn, debug, info)
+
+Start the frontend:
+
+```bash
+npm run dev
+```
+
+The client will run at `http://localhost:5173`.
+
+#### Step 5: Access the Application
+
+Open your browser and navigate to:
+
+- **Frontend**: http://localhost:5173
+- **Backend API**: http://localhost:52345
+- **API Documentation**: http://localhost:52345/api-docs
+
+#### Managing Docker Containers
+
+Stop containers:
+
+```bash
+docker stop uptime_redis uptime_database_mongo
+```
+
+Start containers:
+
+```bash
+docker start uptime_redis uptime_database_mongo
+```
+
+Remove containers (if needed):
+
+```bash
+docker rm uptime_redis uptime_database_mongo
+```
+
+#### Troubleshooting
+
+**Port already in use:**
+
+- Check if another service is using ports 5173, 52345, 27017, or 6379
+- Stop the conflicting service or change the port in `.env` files
+
+**MongoDB/Redis connection issues:**
+
+- Verify containers are running: `docker ps`
+- Check container logs: `docker logs uptime_database_mongo` or `docker logs uptime_redis`
+
+**Module not found errors:**
+
+- Ensure you ran `npm install` in both `client` and `server` directories
+
+**Need more help?**
+
+- Check the [full documentation](https://docs.checkmate.so)
+- Ask on [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/NAb6H3UTjK)
 
 ### Start contributing code?
 
 1. Pick or open an issue (check `good-first-issue`s first)
 2. (optional but highly suggested) Read a detailed structure of [Checkmate](https://deepwiki.com/bluewave-labs/Checkmate) if you would like to deep dive into the architecture.
-3. Ask to be assigned. If there is alrady someone assigned and it's been more than 7 days, you can raise the flag and ask to be assigned as well.
+3. Ask to be assigned. If there is already someone assigned and it's been more than 7 days, you can raise the flag and ask to be assigned as well.
 4. Create a branch from `develop`.
 5. Write your code.
 6. Run and test locally.
@@ -75,6 +237,7 @@ Docs live in [checkmate-documentation](https://github.com/bluewave-labs/checkmat
 ### Help with translations?
 
 We use [PoEditor](https://poeditor.com) for translations. You can:
+
 - [Sign up and join your language team](https://poeditor.com/join/project/lRUoGZFCsJ).
 - Translate UI strings.
 - Ask questions on Discord in the relevant #translations channel.
@@ -84,6 +247,7 @@ Make sure all new UI strings in code use `t('key')`.
 ### Submit a pull request?
 
 Follow the [pull request checklist](#pull-request-checklist). Your PR should:
+
 - Be focused on one issue.
 - Be tested locally.
 - Use our linting and translation rules.
@@ -123,7 +287,6 @@ If one or more of these are missing, we may ask you to update your pull request
 
 ## Branching model
 
-
 - Code contributions should go to the `develop` branch.
 - `master` is used for stable releases.
 - Use descriptive branch names, like `fix/login-error` or `feat/add-alerts`.
@@ -137,13 +300,10 @@ If one or more of these are missing, we may ask you to update your pull request
 
 ## Thank you
 
-Thanks for making Checkmate better. We mean it. Whether it’s your first pull request or your 50th, we’re excited to build with you.
+Thanks for making Checkmate better. We mean it. Whether it's your first pull request or your 50th, we're excited to build with you.
 
-
-PS: feel free to introduce yourself on [Discord](https://discord.gg/YOUR-DISCORD-LINK) and say hi. 
+PS: feel free to introduce yourself on [Discord](https://discord.gg/NAb6H3UTjK) and say hi.
 
 -- Checkmate team
 
 Also make sure you read the [document about how to make a good pull request](/PULLREQUESTS.md).
-
-